Around the world in 180 characters

Feb. 28, 2014
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King Momo Wilson Dias da Costa Neto, right, receives the key to the city with Queen Leticia Martins Guimaraes during the official opening of carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. / YASUYOSHI CHIBA AFP/Getty Images

by Editors, USA TODAY

by Editors, USA TODAY

Every weekend USA TODAY takes a bite-size look in approximately 180 characters per item at the past week's top stories from around the world.

Mr. ex-president

Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych struck a defiant tone, saying he is still the legitimate president of Ukraine. He also said he would not ask Russia for military intervention to back his claim.

To Hugo

Supporters and opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro called for peace as the government celebrated the uprising that led to the socialist revolution of the late Hugo Chávez.

Party time

One of the greatest parties on earth got underway in Brazil as the annual street carnival in Rio de Janeiro kicked off.

Over baked

A South African bakery apologized for producing a line of cookies with messages related to the upcoming murder trial of Oscar Pistorius.